ESPN Updates Preseason Top-25, Tennessee Placed Among Elite Programs
While the worldwide leader doesn't determine the preseason polls, it's no secret that ESPN has a pulse on college football. They recently released their annual SP+ Top 25 list, a compilation of the nation's best teams based on a series of factors, which include "returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history."
The usual suspects fill out the top five. In order, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, and LSU are their top five programs. That shouldn't surprise many - the first three made the College Football Playoff, while LSU won the SEC West. Of course, you can never count out the Alabama Crimson Tide and legendary head coach Nick Saban. Fans are used to seeing those five programs atop the mountain, but a new figure has emerged. The Tennessee Volunteers check in at No. 6, ahead of other programs like Clemson, USC, Texas, Penn State, and more.
Tennessee fits the criteria. They recruited a unanimous top-ten class in 2023 and signed America's No. 1 prospect, quarterback Nico Iamaleava. They return a lot of talent from their historic 2022 squad, though they did lose four top-100 NFL Draft picks. Nonetheless, the Vols feel confident they reloaded and already had enough, to begin with. "Recent history" is banking a lot on head coach Josh Heupel, but he has exceeded every expectation since he arrived in Knoxville. The Vols are well ahead of schedule and are hoping to climb even higher in the coming months.
Tennessee 2023 Schedule
- September 2: vs. Virginia
- September 9: vs. Austin Peay
- September 16: @ Florida
- September 23: vs. UTSA
- September 30: vs. South Carolina
- October 14: vs. Texas A&M
- October 21: @ Alabama
- October 28: @ Kentucky
- November 4: vs. UConn
- November 11: @ Missouri
- November 18: vs. Georgia
- November 25: vs. Vanderbilt
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